School... Europe Dreams....

This is me and my mom at Girls Camp 2009. Going into sophomore year...

AND... this is us at Girls Camp 2008. Going into Freshman year. Time flies....

Sophomore year has finally started. I'm loving my schedule! Having choir everyday is great! It's one of those classes that you can enter totally depressed, but by the time the bell rings, you can't stop laughing.

Here's my fantastic schedule:
Pre-Zero: Seminary
Zero Hour: Astronomy
Period 1: Algebra 2
Period 2: French 1
Period 3: Concert choir
Period 4: Show Choir a.k.a. the most amazing class eva!
Period 5: English Honors
Period 6: Biology Honors

School this year should be great! Every year for spring break, my French teacher hosts a trip to Europe for students. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go! But... the trip costs 2,600 dollars. The good news is that people can donate to me! The government has this amazing thing called "tax credit donations". If you don't know what they are, let me tell you.

All it is, is a fabulous form! It takes the money that you pay for taxes, and sends it to whoever you fill out the form to. So, for example, instead of your tax money going towards the car companies that are failing, you can send it to me so that I can use it on my trip! How amazing is that?! And the best part is that you get your money back! Don't ask me how it works... I don't know... but it's AMAZING! Each family can donate up to 400 dollars. You can either fill out the form I give you, or, if you live far away, you can go to their website.

I really need your help! (man, I feel like a commercial...) This trip is the dream of a lifetime. We'll be seeing France, London, Rome, Pisa, and many more areas. PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! If you would like to donate, please let me know so that I can get you a form (or the website). Remember, I need to earn 2,600 dollars!

As you've probably noticed, I haven't blogged in about 3 months. So, here I am! We've been on summer vacation these past few weeks and I think that this is the first year that I'm NOT excited to go back. Maybe it's the homework... yep, that's probably it. We went to Utah to visit family and while we were there we visited Zion National Park. Up top are some pictures that I took (except for the one of myself). I thought that I did a good job! My parents and I are going to Girls Camp tomorrow. I'll be a 4th year this time, so that means that I will be embarking on the 2 night- 3 day/ 12 mile hike. AHH! I'm SO excited... but nervous. I think that it's just the fact that there won't be any bathroom. But, I'll probably get over that real fast. I'm really excited for the end of the hike when all the other girls wait for us at the end of the trail and cheer. I can't wait to get the feeling that I've accomplished something amazing. Well, I should probably get some sleep so I can have enough energy to carry my pack tomorrow!

8 More Weeks!

I only have 8 more weeks of school until FREEDOM! Can I get a "WHOO-HOO"!?! I'm so excited for this summer. No homework and Girls Camp! I went on our 4th year pre-hike/sleepover this weekend. We hiked six miles (3 miles uphill and 3 miles down). It was so much fun. I was great to get to know all of the girls that I'll be going on the hike with. But, I was kinda upset with the number of girls that showed up. There are supposed to be about 25 girls in my year level, but our numbers have drastically decreased to about 12. Why are they all leaving?! WHY?! But, I guess that's the reality of going on a two night hike. We're supposed to be going about 12 miles total with huge backpacks. But we'll have about two and a half days to do it. We should be fine. I'm so excited!

I have two presentations coming up in April. The two are for history and english. I need to get started on those! My problem isn't getting the information piled in the time limit. It's trying to make it entertaining that I have trouble with. I always seem to bore my classmates to death and I feel so bad. History and English is so boring though! AHH!!!

Oh, I still need to find a dress to wear that looks like Jane Austen.... ugh.

so busy

I thought that spring break was going to be relaxing.... WRONG!

Last week the family went on vacation to California and went to Legoland and Knott's Berry Farm. It was so much fun! But now, it's back to reality. I've got loads of work to do. With schoolwork and my YW medallion recognition night coming up here's a list of what I have to have done by Sunday.

1. take a picture of myself
2. create seven displays for each of my value projects
3. write a little "talk" about each of my projects
4. write what the Personal Progress program means to me and how it's changed my life
5. bake brownies
6. come up with a good time to have a Mia Maid presidency meeting
7. get started on making a dress for my English class
8. write two paragraphs for an essay in English
9. do 14 hours of community service by May 1st
10. get my hair cut and colored
11. get started on my presentation on Jane Austen (man, I have a lot of english homework to do!)

And last, but DEFINATELY not least:
12. I was just asked to give a talk on Sunday on "Magnifying Your Calling"

I have to get all this stuff done by.... SUNDAY???!?!?! That's impossible!!! AHHH!!!!!

It's March!

Ahhh.... March. I love this time of year. It's not to hot, but not to cold. But, not only do I like the weather, I like that it's so close to the end of the school year. Once it hits March/ April, everyone at school starts getting summer fever! Instead of paying close attention in class, kids are talking about their summer plans, the seniors are talking about college and their life after graduation, and everyone's just excited to FINALLY GET A BREAK!!! :D
Now, don't get me wrong, school's... okay.... But I wouldn't want to spend everyday there! Maybe it's just the homework that gets me all wound up. I don't know.

But, aside from all the homework, I have a really strong feeling that next year is going to be so much better and a lot more fun! It's probably because I won't be taking p.e., I'll have two choirs (my favorite class in the world), and all of my eighth grade friends will finally be freshman. Or it could be that I'll be turning sixteen and that means my Sweet Sixteen party and DRIVING, da, da, da!!! It's going to be great.

Wow. That seems to be all that I've been talking about lately... school next year. It's just so exciting for me! There's all these new friends to meet and new adventures to experience. Well, it's that, and the fact that I can't think of anything else to write about. Nothing has really happened in my life that's worth talking about.
My grandparents left about a week ago and while they were here, my Nana cooked so much, that I swear I gained at least 5 pounds. So, over rodeo break (which has been the last four days) I've been trying to watch what I ate. I don't know if I've lost any weight... but I've been feeling a lot better. I have my energy back finally! I've been trying to watch my portion sizes and how often I snack. So, hopefully, I can lose some weight... wish me luck! You all should join me! My mom, dad, Austin, and I have been keeping our own food diaries of all the food we eat each day. Then after a week, we can look back and see what we should change in our diets. Like, eating less junkfood or eating more vegetables.

I think that's about it. Nothing else is really going on other than homework... And I KNOW that you all don't want to hear about that. What a boring topic! Haha!

March 22nd

On March 22nd at 7pm, I am officially receiving my young woman's medallion! I am sooo excited! So, mark you calendars everyone... and come see me. Two other girls are getting recognized also. Courtney (a laurel) has already gotten her medallion but didn't receive a recognition night, so we're recognizing her. Julia (a laurel) is getting her medallion. She finished her personal progress about a week after me. And then, me, a mia maid. Truthfully, I have no clue how this whole thing is going to happen. All I know is that I might have to share my thoughts on Personal Progress and how it has helped me in my life. That sounds easy enough. But, as to everything else, I have no idea. Maybe it'll be a suprise.... hmmm....

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by my Aunt Patty! Apparently, I'm supposed to say six random things about myself... Well, here it goes:

1. My favorite color is RED!
2. I wish people went to dances to meet new people and DANCE, instead of staying in their little groups and dancing with the same two girls over and over!
3. Right now, I'm actually considering being a dental hygienist.
4. My pet-peeve is when people think that choir is a "free elective"! UGH!
5. I try to have perfect handwriting!
6. I wish that I was more outgoing, just so that I could walk up to a random person, introduce myself, and not get embarrassed afterwards.

I'll add one more just for good measure:

7. I really need a new mattress.... hint,hint!